Today is Wednesday, Feb. 11, the 42nd day of 2009. There are 323 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 11, the 42nd day of 2009. There are 323 days left in the year. On this date in 1254, the British Parliament first convenes.

In 1531, King Henry VIII is recognized as Supreme Head of the Church in England. In 1744, the Naval battle of Toulon begins between Britain and the combined Franco-Spanish fleet. In 1798, French forces take Rome. In 1812,Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signs a redistricting law that favors his party — giving rise to the term “gerrymandering.” In 1888, King Lobengda of Matabele, Rhodesia, accepts British protection. In 1889, a Constitution is granted in Japan, with a two-chamber Diet, but the Emperor retains extensive powers. In 1922, a nine-power treaty is signed in Washington for securing China’s independence and maintaining an “open door” policy; the United States and Japan sign a naval agreement. In 1929, Italy signs the Lateran Treaty establishing an independent Vatican City.

February 11, 1984: The city may have to pay $121,147 in back pay and interest to employees on the staff of Clerk of Courts Rosemary Durkin after an Ohio Supreme Court ruling that ordered raises for Miss Durkin’s staff that were withheld by city council.

A 16-year-old boy is arrested at gunpoint after he attempts to jump from a porch roof to escape capture for raping a 64-year-old North Side woman who sometimes paid him to do chores.

February 11, 1969: Balloting by the Youngstown district’s 50,000 members was barely underway at 6 a.m. when spokesmen for Frank Leseganich, who seeks to unseat James Griffin as director of District 26, charges that their election observers were denied access to three plants in Warren and Youngstown.

Greater participation by private enterprise in solving the nation’s social and economic ills is one of the prime goals of the Nixon administration, U.S. Sen. John G. Tower of Texas tells an overflow crowd at C.J. Strouss Auditorium at Youngstown State University.

February 11, 1959: Members of Local 2163, United Steelworkers of America, representing some 3,800 employees of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.’s Campbell Works, unanimously voted to seek stronger safety protection at the local’s regular meeting at its Walton Avenue hall.

Flood-battered residents of Warren are keeping a wary eye on the Mahoning River. More than 800 have been driven from their homes as the river approaches a crest of 13.7 feet.

February 11, 1934: More than $6 million in Home Owners Loan Corp. bonds and cash has been brought into Mahoning County to aid in halting forced sales of properties and to bring about a recovery in real estate values, says Alfred Liebman, manager of the office.

Hopes for a new downtown fire and police station are doomed by an announcement from federal PWA officials that no new projects will be accepted by state engineers.